The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has arrived in the U.S., and one of its main rivals, even though not a direct one, is the Tesla Model Y. The Tesla Model Y was America’s best-selling EV in 2021, as per a Car And Driver report.
Design & Features
Exterior
Design isn’t one of the Tesla Model Y’s best attributes. While looks can be subjective, some find it too soft and curvy and lacking the necessary aggressiveness one would expect from an SUV. If you don’t like the Model X or the Model 3 design, there’s a strong likeliness that you won’t find the Model Y attractive.
Both models have soft, crossover styling, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers a better road presence. Image Sources: Tesla & Hyundai
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 doesn’t look like a proper SUV either. While the Model Y could confuse one as a sedan, the Ioniq 5 could be mistaken for a hatchback. However, it’s aggressive, bold, and undeniably more futuristic. Also, it’s not as small as it looks, although it’s a compact EV, unlike the Model Y, which is a mid-size EV.
The boxy headlamps and rear combination lamps, the clamshell hood, the diamond-shaped silhouette, and the sci-fi pixel-like clusters of the headlamps and rear combination lamps provide the Ioniq 5 an unmistakable, commanding road presence.
Interior
Both Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y feature a minimalist interior, but the latter takes it to the extremes. The Korean model has a relatively conventional cockpit consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touch-operated central display, a multifunction steering wheel, and an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR-HUD). The simplistic dashboard and the sleek HVAC vents look even more traditional. Physical controls for basic infotainment system functions include a volume knob, but the designers have neatly tucked them in an ultra-slim panel. Thankfully, a dedicated climate control panel is present in the car, even though touch-operated.
One of the interior highlights of the Ioniq 5 is the Universal Island, a moveable center console that can slide back as much as 5.5 inches. Even the rear seats are slidable, up to 5.3 inches, and reclinable. The large panoramic roof allows an obstruction-free view of the sky, as it has no support materials.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 doesn’t go overboard with digital controls, making it an easier-to-adopt model for first-time EV buyers. Image Sources: Tesla & Hyundai
The Tesla Model Y’s interior is a model for reduced design language. The driver faces a low-profile dashboard with a slim, edge-to-edge vent band, a simple steering wheel with two scroll buttons, and a giant, 15-inch tablet-style central touchscreen. There’s no head-up display or even an instrument cluster. Customers accustomed to high digitalization, touchscreens, and hands-free driving would find themselves right at home. However, the bare-minimum physical controls and the lack of an instrument cluster could make the driving experience a bit too complex for some first-time EEVbuyers.
The Model Y also has an expansive glass roof without any support materials. A big plus for big families in the Tesla is an option to add a third row of seats and accommodate two extra passengers. This makes it the sleekest 7-seat SUV right now; the coupe-style roofline wouldn’t make one think it could have a third row, but it can.
Specifications
Dimensions
The Ioniq 5 measures 182.5 inches in length, 74.4 inches in width, and 63.0 inches in height. It’s 14 inches shorter than the Palisade, and yet, it has a 118.1-inch wheelbase, which is almost 4 inches longer than that of the Palisade. It offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and folding down the second-row seats increases the cargo space to 59.3 cubic feet. It does have a front trunk or a frunk, with 0.8 cubic feet of additional storage space. Select configurations have a larger frunk with 2.0 cubic feet of extra storage space in markets other than the U.S. and Canada.
The Tesla Model Y is better at performance and towing than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Image Sources: Tesla & Hyundai
As we mentioned before, the Tesla Model Y is a higher-segment model. At 187 inches long, 77.9 inches wide, and 63.9 inches tall, it is noticeably bigger than the newcomer from the East. Its wheelbase, however, is only 113.8 inches, 4.3 inches shorter than Hyundai EEVs The considerably longer (and wider) body does give it an advantage when it comes to cargo space, though – 78 cubic feet.
The Model Y has a frunk, but Tesla hasn’t disclosed its storage space. Tesla has equipped the Model Y’s frunk with a release button. If a person is locked inside, they can press it and then push up on the hood to free themselves out.
Performance & Range
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is available in multiple power electric configurations. Options vary as per the market, but in the U.S., there are two battery pack choices and three output selections.
Customers get to choose between 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs. The former consists of 288 lithium-ion cells packed in 24 modules, while the latter comprises 384 lithium-ion cells packed in 32 modules.
The base configuration of the U.S.-spec Ioniq 5 consists of a 168 hp/258 lb.-ft. motor powering the rear wheels and the 58 kWh battery pack. It delivers an EPA est. range of 220 miles. The mid-level configuration also has only a rear motor, but this motor produces 225 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. Plus, its battery pack is the 77.4 kWh unit. It provides a significantly longer EPA est. range of 303 miles.
The top-of-the-line Ioniq 5 in the U.S. uses a combination of a front motor and a rear motor, which effectively makes it an AWD EV. These motors together generate 320 hp and 446 lb.-ft. of torque, and they get their juice from the 77.4 kWh battery pack. The higher performance brings a compromise in the range, with EPA estimating a full charge to allow traveling up to 256 miles.
AspectStandard Range RWDLong Range RWDLong Range AWDBattery Capacity58 kWh77.4 kWh77.4 kWhDrivetrain LayoutRWDRWDAWDMotor(s)One: RearOne: RearFront & rearPower168 horsepower225 horsepower320 horsepowerTorque258 Lb.-Ft.258 Lb.-Ft.446 Lb.-Ft.Top Speed115 mph115 mph115 mphTowing CapacityNot Recommended1,650 lbs1,650 lbsRange (EPA est.)220 miles303 miles256 milesEnergy Consumption (EPA est.)31 kWh/100 miles30 kWh/100 miles34 kWh/100 milesCharging Time (240V)6.3 hours8.5 hours8.5 hours10-80% Rapid Charging (800V)To Be Announced18 minutes18 minutes
Hyundai Ioniq 5 specifications in the United States, with inputs from EPA data.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 supports 350 kW fast chargers, but we’re confident it cannot take their full benefit and charge at 350 kW. Hyundai hasn’t disclosed the maximum supported DC charging input, but it has said that rapid charging from 10 to 80% SoC at 250 kW or higher rate takes 18 minutes. Note that this timing is only applicable to the 77.4 kWh configurations, as Hyundai hasn’t released the exact figure for the 58 kWh configuration.
The Tesla Model Y is available in only two different power electric configurations in most markets: Long Range and Performance. Both have a 75 kWh battery pack and a motor at the front and rear axles. The Long Range variant’s motors generate 384 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, while the Performance variant’s motors produce 456 horsepower and 497 pound-feet of torque.
The Model Y Long Range can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds and attain a top speed of 135 mph. The Model Y Performance takes only 3.5 seconds for a 0-60 mph sprint, and with a top speed of 155 mph, it is noticeably faster. The Long Range variant delivers a range (EPA est.) of 330 miles, while the Performance variant can travel 303 miles (EPA est.) on a full charge. Clearly, the Tesla SUV is better than its Hyundai rival in every way when it comes to performance and range.
AspectSpecificationLong RangePerformanceBattery Pack Storage Capacity75 kWh75 kWhDrivetrain LayoutAWDAWDNo. of Motor(s)TwoTwoMotor Power (Total)384 hp456 hpMotor Torque (Total)376 lb.-ft.497 lb.-ft.0-97 km/h (0-60 mph) Acceleration Time4.8 seconds3.5 secondsTop Speed135 mph155 mphCharging Power (AAC)11.5 kW11.5 kWEPA Range (confirmed)330 miles303 milesEnergy Consumption (EPA est.)28 kWh/100 miles30 kWh/100 miles
Tesla Model Y specifications (Sources: Tesla, Motor Trend, and EPA)
The Tesla Model Y has an 11.5 kW onboard charger that allows charging at a rate of 42 miles per hour. It supports the company’s latest, V3 Superchargers that provide a peak charging power of 250 kW. However, Tesla hasn’t closed the peak charging power the Model Y can receive. The company is working on V4 Superchargers with a maximum charging power of 350 kW, and the Model Y should support them, too. Worldwide, there are more than 25,000 Superchargers now.
Capabilities
The Hyundai Ioniq 5’s maximum towing capacity is 1,650 pounds, although it’s worth noting that Hyundai doesn’t recommend towing in the base configuration (58 kWh/168 hp/RWD). The Tesla Model Y is a way more capable EV in this aspect, boasting as it can tow 3,500 pounds.
Price
The Tesla Model Y has been a victim of frequent price hikes and now retails at USD 62,990 in the Long Range variant and USD 67,990 in the Performance variant. A USD 1,200 destination fee is additional, applicable on both variants. The Hyundai Ioniq 5’s prices are much lower, ranging from USD 39,700* to USD 54,500*. However, it is not available across the U.S. right now.
Ioniq 5 TrimPowerDrivetrainRangeMSRP*SE Standard Range168 hpRWD220 milesUSD 39,700SE225 hpRWD303 milesUSD 43,650SE320 hpAWD256 milesUSD 47,150SEL225 hpRWD256 milesUSD 45,900SEL320 hpAWD303 milesUSD 49,400Limited225 hpRWD256 milesUSD 50,600Limited320 hpAWD303 milesUSD 54,500
Hyundai Ioniq 5 U.S. prices
*Excludes USD 1,225 destination charge and subsidies
Featured Image Sources: Tesla & Hyundai
Keyword: Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs. Tesla Model Y: How they match on paper